This web-log has been established as a communication tool between myself(Angela Stadelman)and other members and friends of the Divine Face Organization.
As you enter please take a moment to pray for the ministries of the DFO.

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

A history of the Divine Face Organization

Taken from "Divine Face Organization Manual of Prayers"published with Ecclesialstical Approval in 1995, written by Fr. Akannamdi Gerard S. Anyanwu

The Divine Face Organization (DFO) is a pious association which aims at teh sanctification of its members through prayer, way of life and works of charity. Its origin dates back to about September 8, 1968. It is an attempt to fulfill a promise made then by the Organiztion's Chief Steward, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Akannamdi Gerard S. Anyanwu to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Special Graces.
At that time, Fr. Anyanwu was still a Seminarian and was faced with a very grave obstacle to his priestly vocation. As he prayed to our Blessed Mother for help and protection she revealed to him that if he invoked her by that special name- Mother of Special Graces- she would promptly come to his aid. The Blessed Mother's revelation elated adn strengthened Gerard, and prompted him to enter into a sacred covenant with the Blessed Mother.
Mother Mary would pray for and aid Gerard on his tempestuous way to the priesthood adn he would establish an organization devoted to her as Mother of Special Graces. The journey to the priesthood is usually difficult. Fr. Anyanwu's was made yet more overwhelming by the uncertainties of the then Nigeria-Biafra where he lived. But Mother Mary was ever there to encourage him. he was compelled to devote his time to the service of the needy and refugees.
Since his ordination in 1974, Fr. Anyanwu has been at pains to encourage devotion to our Blessed Mother and to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life in gratitude to Mother Mary for protecting his own vocation. He prayed and sought for a revelation regarding the fulfillment of his promise under the covenant with the Blessed Virgin.
After some preliminary attempts to start pious associations to promote devotion to our Mother of Special Graces, the way finally opened in 1991.
Following his graduation and return to Nigeria from Rome, Fatehr Anyanwu was assigned to teach at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), a graduate institution for catholic priests. While at CIWA, Fr. Anyanwu received the inspiration to establish the Divine Face Organization, with the mission of making Christ Jesus real in our lives and society by obedience to the will of God and taking care of and sharing love with the needy.
The Blessed Virgin in whom the Divine Face of God, Jesus, was formed, is our Mother and guide. We are confident that she will cater to our mission and ensure that we do not misrepresent her dear Son. Being expert trainer of the Son of God, she will do everything possible to teach us to be true children of God. She, who heard teh Word of God and kept it, and brought Him forth as our Savior, will teach us to do the will of God and thus make our salvation a reality.
The DFO is also dedicated to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary who, whith the Word of God incarnate in her, lent herself to Him as a vehicle to visit and take tender care of and sanctify Elizabeth, the aged adn needy wife of Zachary. Jesus, the Divine Face Himself, is God. He humbled Himself, came down to care for and sactify humanity that was in misery. He was the power which , residing in the Blessed Virgin Mary, urged her on to visit Elizabeth.
Following in the footspteps of Mother Mary therefore, it is the goal of the DFO to visit, show love and care to the aged and needy in our society. We go to them, ascertain their individual needs and do our best to service those needs accordingly. Through our services, we help them realize and continue to believe in God's love and kindness.
In all this, we see our need for the Special Graces with which the Blessed Virgin is filled, the grace which she has been chosen by God to introduce into her our human condition. She is ONE with Jesus- the supreme Special Grace from Heaven. What we are called to be as Christians cannot be fully realized without the aid of the Blessed Mother Mary. The heart of our Commission and mission is to make reparation to the Divine Majesty for the disregard adn misrepresentation which most of humanity mete out to Him. Many do not believe or care about Him. Many who claim to believe, misrepresent him and regard His Commandments as impossible to live by.
In order to fulfill our mission, therefore, we need to be united with Mary, our Mother and Her Son Jesus, our Model. Both of them are Champions of atonement to God for our sins. They humbly submitted themselves to God's will in all things and were unreserved in self-giving and love for mankind.
Two months after the inspiration to Fr. Gerard regarding the Divine Face Organization, he was suddenly asked to take up a parish priestly assignment. This assignment provided the desired opportunity for the establishment of the organization.
The humble beginning of the organization has not been without problems, some of which have threatened its survival. But thanks to God the organization has made it through four rough years (at the time of this writing in 1995).
The following are the categories of membership to the Divine Face Organiztion.

The Stewards, who form the core of the organization, render the needed services to the needy persons;

The Associates, who supply the very much needed personal support in whatever form required and are disposed to attend meetings and prayer sessions;

Patrons, who are prepared to kindly give financial and/ or material help as often as they wish or are requested to do so, and are also ready to attend our meetings and prayer sessions whenever they can;

Sponsors, who are prepared to kindly give financial and/or material aid, but are unable to attend our meetings and prayer sessions.

Last but not the least, are the needy, who are the beneficiaries of the organiztion.

For information about enrollment or any other related matter, write or call:

2 Comments:

Hi Angela! It was great to hear your voice early this morning along with Father's. I know you are in seventh heaven right now on your first visit to the school. Tell the stewards, teachers, and students hello for me, and that I miss being there. Sorry I forgot to clarify for you where Westminister Cathedral was. God Bless all of you! Paul

Hi Angela! It was great to hear your voice early this morning along with Father's. I know you are in seventh heaven right now on your first visit to the school. Tell the stewards, teachers, and students hello for me, and that I miss being there. Sorry I forgot to clarify for you where Westminister Cathedral was. God Bless all of you! Paul

About Me

Angela Stadelman was born and raised in Arlington, Texas. She is a member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church and attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. She graduated in 2004 with a bachelors of science in Education. She holds a licence: Intervention Specialist Mild/Moderate and a Reading Endorsement.